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#1 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Nevada
Posts: 7,230
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Steering box rebuild or buy another?
For what it's worth I'm rebuilding a truck to factory, within reason anyway.
My steering box looks great, but it needs to be rebuilt. Shipping is expensive, so I'm wondering, what you guys recommend for a steering box? If you figure I should rebuild what I got, do you have any suggestions where to send it? Thanks
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Tony 71 Custom Deluxe, SWB, 2WD, 402, A/C. I developed an assembly kit for restoring the (a) truck from the ground up. My build thread, and more on the assembly kit https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=730025 |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Klein Texas
Posts: 3,852
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Re: Steering box rebuild or buy another?
I've rebuilt at least a 100 boxes so I always vote to rebuild my own. The kit is only $30-$35.
A beam or dial torque wrench is needed and the correct procedures are in the service manual (overhaul).
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My Classics: '72 K20 Suburban + '65 Dodge Town Wagon '72 Corvette Roadster +'67 Corvette Roadster '73 Z-28 Camaro '63 Ford SWB Uni Pickup '50 Ford Coupe |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Parkville, MD
Posts: 1,024
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Re: Steering box rebuild or buy another?
If you still have a 4.5 turn box, I would be looking at a 3.5 turn one.
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1970 C20 Custom Camper - 350, TH350 1997 GMC Suburban 1994 Acura Integra GSR 1987 Dodge Daytona Shelby Z |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Austin, TX, USA
Posts: 7,717
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Re: Steering box rebuild or buy another?
I would want faster more modern steering and is what I will do on my own truck whenever it needs any steering work. So my vote is to upgrade to the variable ratio box.
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44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax |
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#5 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: May 2013
Location: WEST PALM FLORIDA
Posts: 1,174
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Re: Steering box rebuild or buy another?
Get a box from a 78 c10
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68 Long Fleet , ly6 , turbo 350 , 3-5 drop , original paint , front discs 67 Small window , 7 foot bed , tweaked 6.0 LSX 2004R Medium Olive 58 Apache fleet , 235 , offy intake , dual exhaust , 4 on the floor , red/white 69 Long Fleet , Custom , 6.0, 4l60 , AC , Medium Olive |
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#6 |
Almost Satisfied
![]() Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Springfield, MO
Posts: 2,932
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Re: Steering box rebuild or buy another?
I can have my existing one rebuilt locally for $250. I can buy a re manufactured one for $130. Not sure having it done locally is worth the extra money.
You can get them from Summit with no shipping fees.
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1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far." |
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#7 |
Special Order
![]() ![]() Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Mt Airy, MD
Posts: 85,859
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Re: Steering box rebuild or buy another?
If you want 100% original then rebuilt it. These trucks never drove badly when new. If you'd like to upgrade to newer design, the newer box will not really show as non-original except to an expert with their head stuck in your fender well or lying under your truck.
I have a funny situation where N.O.S. doesn't mean more valuable, at least to most. Years and years (decades) ago I had my GM dealer get me a new steering box for a '71 K/20 that had excessive slop. They listed for about $350-375 and I got a 30% discount, so still a couple hundred plus. I decided to part a Blazer I had so just used that steering box and left the new one on the shelf. Fast forward to about '07 and I discovered my '72 K2500 had wiggle at the sector shaft/pitman arm. I pull the N.O.S. box out, paint it, get the pitman arm I also bought back then, and OOPs! The parts guy had ordered me a 2wd box! I have my '67 project, but that sits on a completely rebuilt rolling chassis including steering box. With rebuilt units and upgrades readily available and the part not an appearance item I don't see it selling for even what retail was in the '80s. I'd be lucky to get what I paid at -30%. So I'm just hanging on to it for the future. My '67 project is performance oriented so I'll probably end up with a quicker steer box anyway.
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"BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Rochester Mi
Posts: 93
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Re: Steering box rebuild or buy another?
Are the Redheads any good?
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Redmond, WA
Posts: 6,332
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Re: Steering box rebuild or buy another?
Only heard good things about them, sent my car's variable ratio box there. Haven't driven it yet though!
If I had to do it over again and wasn't so concerned with stock, I'd be looking at the new Saginaw 500 or 600 boxes (I think that's the number). I put one in my '69 Camaro, and it's a world of difference. You need metric adapters for the lines, but otherwise not rocket science. It's basically the same box as early 2000s Tahoes, if I understand correctly.
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1970 GMC Sierra Grande Custom Camper - Built, not Bought 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Coupe 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Convertible |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: upstate sc
Posts: 2,095
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Re: Steering box rebuild or buy another?
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Rochester Mi
Posts: 93
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Re: Steering box rebuild or buy another?
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#12 |
BlahBlahBlah
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wa.
Posts: 19,863
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Re: Steering box rebuild or buy another?
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#13 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Nevada
Posts: 7,230
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Re: Steering box rebuild or buy another?
Thanks for the information. I don't know if my original box is 3.1 or 4.1. If that's a ratio I don't see a close reference. I can say the steering box I have was discontinued in 1984.
Nobody in the area rebuilds these. Redhead will rebuild it for $300 plus a $150 core charge. Add shipping both ways it's over $400. So heck with it, I'm buying new or re-manufactured. So I'm looking at: Upgrade: This might be the 500 Dave spoke of: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/c.../submodel/base Re-manufactured: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/a.../submodel/base https://www.summitracing.com/parts/a.../submodel/base Another option: http://www.powersteering.com/ On a side, Redhead will send a replacement, but costs the same. I guess they figure their rebuilds are better than Cardone's and ACDelco's ![]() I thought the cost would be more regardless. When I first bought my truck in 89 I was quoted $500 for just the box. So I let it leak over the next 25 years or so, and yeah, it was a little sloppy.
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Tony 71 Custom Deluxe, SWB, 2WD, 402, A/C. I developed an assembly kit for restoring the (a) truck from the ground up. My build thread, and more on the assembly kit https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=730025 Last edited by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402; 12-20-2018 at 11:39 PM. |
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#14 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Erie Colorado
Posts: 1,009
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Re: Steering box rebuild or buy another?
There is a local shop in Denver (cars power steering) that rebuilds them for $150. I just bought one with the 3 1/2 quick ratio to put in my build but also having them rebuild a gear box to stock specifications and an oe pump. We will see after this weekend how the gear box works out but I've only heard good things about them.
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1971 LSX "Bonnie" build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=8026381 paypal is curtbarton1971@yahoo.com |
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#15 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 1,335
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Re: Steering box rebuild or buy another?
I've had horrible luck with re-manufactured boxes. One car I was rebuilding took me finally taking the original box to a local shop to be rebuilt after installing 3 re-manufactured ones. It was about as frustrating experience as possible, because unless you have a lift, it's a total pain (in most vehicles) to remove/reinstall.
I'll only have mine rebuilt from now on as I have a reputable shop and I know I'll only have to remove/reinstall once. |
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#16 |
Post Whore
![]() Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Portland Oregon
Posts: 11,110
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Re: Steering box rebuild or buy another?
Give these guys a call. They have been around a long time and did a good job on my AD box years ago.
https://www.larescorp.com
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Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. ![]() RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377 |
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#17 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Parkville, MD
Posts: 1,024
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Re: Steering box rebuild or buy another?
Quote:
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1970 C20 Custom Camper - 350, TH350 1997 GMC Suburban 1994 Acura Integra GSR 1987 Dodge Daytona Shelby Z |
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#18 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Gods country East,Tn
Posts: 8,545
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Re: Steering box rebuild or buy another?
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![]() 1967 Factory short bed - Old school '71 - 350 / 4bolt / 487 heads / Edelbrock C3BX Muncie M-22 4 speed / Hurst Comp plus Factory 12 bolt posi 3.73 / 255-70-15 Smoothed firewall / Factory cowl induction Power disc brakes / power steering / 3.5-5" drop |
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#19 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Nevada
Posts: 7,230
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Re: Steering box rebuild or buy another?
Quote:
__________________
Tony 71 Custom Deluxe, SWB, 2WD, 402, A/C. I developed an assembly kit for restoring the (a) truck from the ground up. My build thread, and more on the assembly kit https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=730025 |
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#20 | |
Senior Member
![]() ![]() Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Harrison, Arkansas
Posts: 9,815
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Re: Steering box rebuild or buy another?
Quote:
For our trucks I go to O'reilly and order one for a 1979. It's 3 1/2 turns post to post, costs $136.99 and I haven't had a problem yet. I've done 5 of them and have one on the shelf. I usually have to change the rag joint but you probably should every time anyway.
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other Larry Build thread, Arkansas K10 https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...=755797&page=5 The ability to speak several languages is an asset, but the ability to keep your mouth shut in any language is priceless. |
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#21 |
Carpe manana
![]() ![]() Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Eau Claire, WI
Posts: 12,376
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Re: Steering box rebuild or buy another?
Rebuild it. Redhead did a good job on mine and with quick turn around. I shipped them the box in a USPS flat rate box.
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1972 K5 CST Highlander Blazer: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=708547 1972 K20 Cheyenne Super: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=528308 ![]() |
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#22 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Orland Park Il
Posts: 2,041
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Re: Steering box rebuild or buy another?
I rebuild my own it’s not that difficult to do. Source the right kit based on the numbers on the box vs the make and model though.
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68 GMC C3500 Longhorn DRW 67 Chevy C10 LWB 90 Mustang Gt 90 Mustang Notchback |
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#23 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Nevada
Posts: 7,230
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Re: Steering box rebuild or buy another?
I ended up going through Powersteering.com. Marty is not cheap, believe me, but nice work. He rebuilt the box to 16:13:1...........I guess that's good
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__________________
Tony 71 Custom Deluxe, SWB, 2WD, 402, A/C. I developed an assembly kit for restoring the (a) truck from the ground up. My build thread, and more on the assembly kit https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=730025 |
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#24 |
Carpe manana
![]() ![]() Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Eau Claire, WI
Posts: 12,376
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Re: Steering box rebuild or buy another?
He re-did my original power steering pump - I was really pleased with the result.
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1972 K5 CST Highlander Blazer: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=708547 1972 K20 Cheyenne Super: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=528308 ![]() |
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#25 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Tulsa, OK
Posts: 415
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Re: Steering box rebuild or buy another?
To revive a thread... how hard is it to rebuild a steering box? Mine is leaking bad and need to either replace it, or rebuild it.
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1971 C10 - Hugger Orange/White My Build Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=780197 LS Swap Thread: https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=811460 |
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